2006 BMW M3 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 BMW M3 has a complaint index of 82, ranking 4th worst among 18 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Airbag issues make up 64% of complaints, and 3 of its 5 recalls are do-not-drive Takata airbag campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 82/100
- #4 of 18 M3 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 14
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- 3 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 14 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2006 BMW M3 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags9 (64%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (14%)
- Engine1 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the SMG transmission lunging forward or losing power at low speeds around 20 mph in first or second gear.
- Some describe the SMG transmission intermittently dropping out of gear in traffic or on the highway, citing a possibly defective heat sensor on the hydraulic pump.
- Several owners with Takata airbag recall notices report long waits for replacement parts, with dealers unable to give repair dates.
- One owner reported Vanos bolts coming loose, producing a rough, tractor-like engine sound.
- A pair of rear tires reportedly failed from interior sidewall damage within a short distance of each other, at high mileage.
2006 BMW M3 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 20V018000Jan 15, 2020Airbags292,948 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 14V428000Jun 11, 2018Airbags574,007 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
2006 BMW M3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 21 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other M3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 BMW M3 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 M3 ranks 4th worst out of 18 model years with a complaint index of 82, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other M3 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 BMW M3?
- Airbags account for 64% of complaints (9 of 14), followed by suspension/wheels/tires and transmission/powertrain issues, each at 14%.
- Does the 2006 BMW M3 have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this year, including 3 do-not-drive campaigns tied to Takata airbags and a passenger front airbag replacement.
- At what mileage do 2006 M3 problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure across reported airbag complaints is 75,000 miles.
- Which BMW M3 years are worse than 2006?
- The 2008 (index 100), 2009 (94), and 2011 (88) model years all have higher complaint indexes and are also rated Avoid.